POLITICS
Rivers Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi, Declines to Constitute Impeachment Panel Over Gov. Fubara and Deputy, Citing Court Orders
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, has declined a request by the Rivers State House of Assembly to appoint a seven-man investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, citing subsisting court orders and pending litigation.
In a formal letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, the Chief Judge said his hands were legally tied by interim injunctions issued by the High Court restraining him from acting on the Assembly’s request.
Justice Amadi confirmed receipt of two letters from the Assembly dated January 16, 2026, accompanied by “voluminous documents,” requesting him to appoint seven persons to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara pursuant to Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), following a resolution of the House under Section 188(4). He noted that a separate but similar request was also made regarding the Deputy Governor.
However, the Chief Judge disclosed that his office was served on the same day with two interim injunctions issued on January 16, 2026, in separate suits filed by the Governor and the Deputy Governor against the Speaker and 32 others. The suits are marked OYHC/6/CS/2026 and OYHC/7/CS/2026, respectively.
According to Justice Amadi, the court orders expressly restrain him, listed as the 32nd defendant from “receiving, forwarding, considering and or howsoever acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication” from the lawmakers for the purpose of constituting an investigative panel for a period of seven days.
“Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law are the bedrock of democracy,” the Chief Judge stated, stressing that all persons and authorities are bound to obey subsisting court orders “irrespective of perception of its regularity or otherwise.”
He further referenced established judicial precedent, citing the Court of Appeal decision in Hon. Dele Abiodun v. The Hon. Chief Judge of Kwara State & Ors. (2007) 18 NWLR, where a chief judge was condemned for proceeding with the constitution of a panel in defiance of a court order.
Justice Amadi quoted the appellate court’s strong rebuke, warning against actions that could undermine the integrity of the judiciary.
The Chief Judge also noted that the Speaker and the House had filed appeals against the interim injunctions at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, and that he had been served with the Notices of Appeal on January 19 and 20, 2026. He invoked the doctrine of lis pendens, which requires parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a case or appeal.
“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered. I am therefore legally disabled at this point from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant,” Justice Amadi wrote.
He expressed hope that the Hon. Speaker and members of the House would “appreciate the legal position of the matter,” while assuring them of his regards.
The development adds another legal dimension to the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, as the impeachment process against the Governor and his deputy remains stalled pending jud
icial determination.